Single lay shirt press



Uct. 4, 1949. r E. DAVIS ET AL 294835812 SINGLE-LAY SHIRT PRESS Filed Oct. 25, 1945 6 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS v ERNEST DAVIS EA. WINNEI ER ATTOR NEY S.

Oct. 4, 1949. v E. DAVIS ET AL 2,483,812

7 SINGLE-LAY SHIRT PRESS Filed Oct. 25,1945 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS ERNEST DAVIS BYE.A.WINNEWISER ATTORNEYS.

Oct. 4, H49. v E. DAVIS ET AL 2,483,812

SINGLE-LAY SHIRT PRESS 7 Filed Oct. 23, 1945 y 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG. 5

4 IINVENTORS E R NEST DAVIS BY E.A.WINNEWI SER ATTORNEYS.

Get 4, 1949. E. DAVIS ET AL 2,483,812

SINGLE-LAY SHIRT PRESS Filed Oct. 25, 1945 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG. 7

FiG.8 m *5 f INVENTORS an ERNEST DAVIS y BYEA. WlNNEWI ER Ml/ ATTORNEYS.

Oct. 4, 1949. E. DAVIS ETAL 2,483,812

SINGLE-LAY SHIRT. PRESS Filed Oct. 25., 1945 s sheets-s eet 5 IN V EN TORS ERNEST DAVIS BY E.A.WINNEWIS ER ATTORNEYS.

Get. 4, 1949. E. DAVIS ETAL 294839812 SINGLE-LAY SHIRT PRESS Filed Oct. 25, 1.945 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR2 ERNEST DAV] S BY EA. WINNEWSSER ATTOR NEYS.

.tion of parts seen in Figure 1.

Patented Oct. 4, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SINGLE LAY SHIRT PRESS Application October 23, 1945, Serial No. 624,034

This invention relates to garment pressing machines, particularly machines for pressing coat garments, and more particularly for pressing shirts. For convenience, it is hereinafter referred to as a shirt press.

The primary object of this invention is a machine in which the entire body of a shirt is pressed by a plurality of power operated pressing elements while it is dressed upon a form, without removing the shirt from the form, with means for controlling the pressing operations. The various pressing operations, as the pressing of the yoke, side seams, front and back of a shirt, overlap so as .to avoid the formation of creases. Hence certain pressing operations, as the yoke l and side seam operations, take place at the same time or period, the pressing elements effecting them constituting one group of pressing elements; and other pressing operations, as the front and back operations are performed at another period of the machine operation Without removing the shirt from the form, the front and back pressing elements constituting another group of elements. The pressing operations of the two groups overlap. The invention therefore has for its object a shirt press in which the body of the shirt is pressed by a plurality of pressing operations while the shirt is dressed on a form.

The invention further has for its object a shirt press in which the body form is swivelled for facilitating the dressing of the shirt thereon and also moves from a first or starting or forward position in front of the frame or cabinet of the machine back into the machine where the front and back of the shirt are pressed with the body form taking a partial turn from its first or forward position to its second or bosom and back ironing position.

The invention further has for its object an operating and control system by which the pressing operations performed on the shirt when the machine is in first position in front of the cabinet, and when in the cabinet, occur successively.

The invention consists in the novel features and in the combinations and constructions hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In describing this invention, reference is had "to the accompanying drawings in which like characters designate corresponding pants in all the views.

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the machine showing the yoke ironer and the side seam ironers in pressing position.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary plan partly in sec- Claims. (Cl. 223--57) Figure 3'is a side elevation of the machine, the cabinet and the frame in section.

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional View through the form, the'side seam ironing elements being shown in pressing position and the pressing elements for the bosom and the back of the shirt being indicated in dotted lines to show the overlapping operation, although the front and back pressing elements are located within the cabinet and out of position to coact with the form when the form is in starting position or the side seams and yoke pressing operations take place.

Figure 5 is a front elevation, parts being removed, showing the relative position of the form in loading position and after the form has been moved into the cabinet, the position of the form after taking the quarter turn when shifted in the cabinet and of the coacting pressing elements for pressing the bosom and back of the shirt being indicated in dotted lines.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary detail sectional view taken approximately on the plane of line 6-45, Figure 5 of the mounting for a portion of the actuating means for one of the pressing elements in the cabinet.

Figure '7 is a plan View of parts seen in Figure 5 showing the form in starting position before shifting back into the cabinet and in shifted position in dotted lines.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary view of parts seen in Figure 7 showing the position of the form, when shiftedv into the cabinet in position to coact with the pressing elements therein to press the bosom and back of the shirt.

Figure 9 is :a front elevation of the shirt form with a shirt dressed thereon showing the sleeves supported away from the shirt and the body of the shirt ready to coact with the yoke and side seam pressing elements or heads, parts of the collar holding clamp being removed.

Figure 10 is a rear elevation of the form with the shirt dressed thereon and the sleeves in position when ironing the front and rear portions of the shirt. V

Figure 11 is a side elevation of the form with the shirt dressed thereon with the collar holding clamp in position, one of the shirt sleeves being shown as removed to show the collar clamp holder and to show the area adjacent the side seam to be pressed.

Figure 12 is a diagrammatic view of the operator controlled power mechanism for the movable parts of the press, various air valves being in section.

Figure 13 is a. fragmentary-view, partl in sec- .3 tion, showing the supporting bearing for the form permitting swivelling of the form and the stop or clutch arrangement for locating and holding the form in star-ting position.

This shirt pressing machine comprises a body form mounted so that a shirt body may be readily dressed thereon, pressing elements or heads mounted and located to press different portions of the shirt on the form and in their joint operation pressing the entire body of the shirt, the pressing elements being arranged in a plurality of groups, here shown as in two groups, the pressing elements of one group bein operable into pressing position so that they are pressing at the same period in the operation of the machine, the elements or heads of the other groupibeing alternately operable into pressing position with the heads of the former group, one of said group of heads1apping the ironing area of the heads of the other group, and means for operating and controlling .the operations of the elements or heads of the groups.

,In the illustrated embodiment of the inven- .tion, the form is shiftable from ironing .or juxtaposition with one group into ironing position with the'other group; and the operating and control means operate to effect the successive operation of the elements of one group and the release thereof, the shifting of the form from juxtaposition to saidone group of pressing elements into juxtaposition to the pressing elements of the other group, .the operation-f the elements of the other group, the release .of the latter and the return of the form to its starting position.

.i designates the form on which the shirt S is dressed; and 2 the carrier for the form, the iorrn being swivelled on the carrier which turns about an upright axis, it having a hub 3 at its lower end having a bearing on the carrier 4 and also having an upright spindle 5 swivelled in the carrier. The carrier is here shown as a double swinging rock arm or a swinging arm having a hub 6 mounted on an upright axis 7 in the base 8 .of the frame 9 of the machine. This frame may be of any suitable construction. It is enclosed :ina cabinet C open at its frontside. The body form J is detachably clutched to its hub 4 by a clutch device, as a spring-pressed poppet 4A which, when sufficient turning force is applied, uncouples and permits the form to swivel fully to facilitate dressing of the shirt thereon. The poppet liA snaps into coupling position when the form is in starting position. As best seen in Figure 4, the form is preferably flattened elliptical'ly in cross section and includes a covering of spring padding 10A and fabric wrapper I013. The form may be formed hollow for .a heating medium supplied through steam pipes P and may be perforated for permitting the passage of steam through the perforations and the covering to moisten the shirt on .the form. The pipes have suitable control valves therein and are connected to a steam supply through flexible hose which permits the swivelling and shifting of the form. The heating of the form for-ms no part of this invention.

ill designates a yoke pressing element suitably shaped .to press the shoulders and yoke of a shirt, this being a head carried by a lever .I l extending forwardly and rearwardly and pivoted at [2 to upright frame members .or pillars t3 extending between the base .3 and the top plate 14 of the frame t. The lever may be actuated as will be hereinafter described. There is a suitable neck or eller ban holder 4.5 on the form. The .con-

struction of this holder forms no part of the invention. In so far as this invention is concerned, it may be of any suitable construction to hold the collar when the shirt is dressed on the form. The form I is of such size as to receive several sizes of shirts and is provided with a holding clamp 2| to hold the shirt when stretched .on .the form. {The front .edges of a coat shirt diverge toward their [lower ends :to an extent dependent on the size of the shirt, the front edges .of small shirts diverging more than larger sizes. The side seam pressing elements are wide enough to cover an area in which the side seams of the small and large shirts will lie. When the side seams. and yoke of the shirt are pressed, the

sleeves are draped over portions B of the cabinet at the front of the machine and when the form I is moved back into the cabinet, the sleeves are supported by a convenient holder H at the top of the form.

it and i1 designate, respectively, right and left pressing elements for pressing the side seam areas of the shirt .on the form, When the form is in its loading or forward position out of the cabinet. As shirts are of difierent sizes and lengths, these pressing elements i 6, VI! are adjustabe vertically, so as to press side seams up to and including the arm hole seams,.as can be seen in Figures 9 and 11. These pressing elements Iii, l7, when properly adjusted, would operate several inches below the top or yoke portion of the shirt. The side seam pressing elements l6, H are so adjustable by hand. The ironing pressure is applied thereto by power operating mechanism. The elements I6, H are supported by parallel linkage i8, is pivoted at like ends to the elements l6, H. The links l8, l9. are connected by a yoke 22 at their outer ends to which the power is applied. The .parallel links l8, l9 are operated to elevate .or lower the pressing elements it, ll to locate them relative to the arm holes by means of a handle lever 23. v

24 and .25 designate the pressing elements within thecabinet and located to press the bosom and back of a shirt after the form I with the shirt thereon has been shifted into the cabinet between these pressing elements. The pressing element 24 is carried by a double yoke arm 26 .pivotally mounted .on an upright 21 of .the frame, this yoke arm 26 carrying the pressing element as at its .outer end. It is actuated, as will-be hereinafter described. The pressing .element 25 is shown as provided with a slide 28 (Figures 5 and 6) guided in an upright 29 in the frame and havin a pivotal connection at 30 with the arm of a lever 31 pivotally connected at 32 to the upright 29 This lever is acuated by power, as will be hereinafter described.

The elements or heads Ill, [6 and I1 constitute one group of press heads or elements, and the press heads or elements 24., 2,5 the other group.

Theoperating mechanism and the control system will now bedescribed. After a shirt has been dressed on the form the operator first brings the yoke pressing element 1 6 down in contact with the yoke of the shirt on the form. Thecarrying arm .1! is provided with a handle 3-3 for this purpose. During the dressing of the shirt on the form, the form may e Wi Hed by applying a turning force thereto sufficient to dislodge the poppet 6A, and when the dressing is completed, the form is .swivelled to normal position when the poppet AA locates it in normal position. He then adjusts the side seam pressingelement. H5 to the proper height by operating the handle 23 .to vary the angle of 5 the parallel links I8, 19. He then performs the same operation with respect to the other side seam pressing element [1. Immediately after pulling the yoke pressing element down in contact with the shirt dressed on the form I, he operates a handle 34 to open a valve 35 in a power system, as .a compressed air system, permitting air to pass from the main air line 36 through the valve 35 to a cylinder 31 to actuate a piston therein, the rod 38 of which is provided with a head 39 having a roller coacting with an inclined wedge surface 40 on the frame. The cylinder 31 is mounted to oscillate about the pivot 31A against the action of a returning spring 31B. When the piston in the cylinder 31 is energized, the cylinder 31 shifts about its pivot to the left (Figure 3) as the roller 39 moves about the cam 48. This causes the head 39 to press up on the rear arm of the yoke arm and apply pressure, and hence to press the yoke press ironer or element 10 down on the shoulder or yoke of'the shirt on the form I. During this pressing movement, the roller 39 moves along a surface 49A on the same block on which the cam surface 40 is provided. The operating member 34 is provided with a mechanical latch 41, and this latch is released by power, as will presently appear. The latch may be released manually and is provided with a manual or button 34A for this purpose. The operator may want to release the power after it has been once applied for readjustment of the pressing element, and hence the manual release is provided. The latch -mechanism 4|, as here shown, includes a pair of pivoted hooks, which extend toward each other. Operation of the member 34 engages one hook with the other hook, so that when the member 34 is operated to open the valve 35, the valve 35 is latched in open position. To release the valve, the other hook may be operated by a release member 34A or automatically, as will be hereinafter described. The valve member of the valve 35 is self-returning to normal position. It is of the combined intake and exhaust type. Any suitable valve may be used. After the element l6 has been adjusted to the proper height, the operator operates a lever or manual 42, similar to the manual 34. This operates a valve 43 which permits air to flow from the main line 36 through the open valve 43 to an air motor device, as a cylinder and piston motor 44, 45, which is connected to the yoke 22 between the parallel levers I8, IS. The manual 42 is held in its latched position in the same manner as manual 34 and has a manual release button 42A. Next the operator adjusts the side seam pressing element l1 by operating handle 23 and then operates a third manual 46 which opens the valve 41, similar to valves 35 and 43. Hence, air is permitted to flow from the main line 36 to a cylinder and piston motor 48, similar to the cylinder and piston motor 44, 45, to actuate the yoke 22 of the mechanism for operating the side seam pressing element I1. The manual 46 has a locking device and release mechanism including a manual release 46A similar to that of the manuals 34 and 42. When the valve 41 is open, air also passes from the main line to a timer 49 adjusted so that the pressure builds up during a predetermined time interval to operate an air pressure device, as a diaphragm in a diaphragm chamber 56 which, when a predetermined pressure is reached, opens a normally closed valve which permits air to flow to a manifold line 52 connected to release or diaphragm chambers 53,54 and 55 for tripping the latches 4| of themanuals 34, 42 and 46. Hence, after a predetermined pressing time, the valves". 35, 43 and 41, which are self-returning valves 'of the combined intake and exhaust type, are opened to exhaust the air from the cylinder 31, 44 and 48 respectively, permitting the yoke pressing element I0 and the side seam elements [6, l1 to return to their open positions.

The operator then operates a fourth operating member or lever 56 to'opena normally closed intake and exhaust valve 51. This permits air to flow from the main line 36 through the Valve 51 and pipes 58, 58 to one end of the cylinder 59 (Figure 8) to actuate the piston therein, the rod 66 of which is connected by a link El to the carrier 4, eccentric to the axis of the carrier at 62 (Figures 5 and 8). During this movement of the piston in the cylinder 59, the carrier conveys the form backwardly from its forward position into its second position in the cabinet in juxtaposi-. tion to the pressing elements 24, 25, and during this movement the form is given a partial or a one-quarter turn about its axis by suitable mechanism, as a guide link 63 (Figure3) pivoted at 64 to the fixed frame 8, as the axis of the carrier 2, and at 65 to the hub 3 eccentric to the axis thereof. The valve 51 is shown in section and is illustrative of the valves 35, 43, 41 and 51.

When the valve 51 is opened by operating the fourth operating member or lever 56, the air also passes to a diaphragm chamber 61 which operates a valve 68 in the pipe 69 from the main line 33 to the upper end of the cylinder 59, this operation of the valve cutting off the flow of air to the cylinder 59 and opening the upper end of the cylinder 59 to the exhaust of air. Hence, when the valve 51 is returned to its normal position, as will be presently described, and the air exhausted from the cylinder 59 and from the diaphragm chamber 61, air will again-pass through the pipe 58 to the upper end of the cylinder 59 (Figure 12), causing the form to return to its starting or position out of the cabinet. The closing of the valve 51 takes place after the pressing elements 24, 25 have been released and returned to their open position. When the form I has been shifted into the cabinet and into pressing relation with the pressing elements 24, 25 or in the positions shown in broken lines in Figures '7 and 8, the piston rod 60 of the piston working in cylinder 59, opens, through a lever 10 (Figure 12), a valve 1|, similar to the valves 35, 43, 41, 51, and permits air to flow from the main line 36 through pipes 12, 128 to one end, as the upper end (Figure 12) of a cylinder 13 (Figures 7 and 12), the rod 14 of which is pivoted to one link 15 of a toggle, the

other end of which is pivoted at 16 or at the joint of the toggle, to one end of the other toggle link 11, which in turn is connected to the yoke lever 26 of the pressing element 24. The toggle is formed with a stop joint Which stops it in a straight line or dead center position. The air also passes from these pipes 12, through a suitable orifice or reducing valve 18 to a diaphragm chamber 19 operating a valve 86, which is normally in position to permit the exhaust of air from the other or lower end of the cylinder 13, so that the piston in the cylinder 13 can op erate to straighten the toggle 14, 11 and close the pressing element 24. Before such operation of the valve 30, the air passes from the main line through the pipe 8|, valve 86 into the lower end of the cylinder 13, to cause its piston to fold the toggle into the position shown in Figure '1, and hence open the pressing element 24. When in normal position, the air passing from the'main aesasia line; through the. pipe 81:- and! the valve. an: into; the. lower end: of the: cylinder 113 through. thepipe-82; also passes, through; pipe .83 in the diaphragm chamber 814,.which. normally; holds the lever 10 in. position to close the valve 11 in the. supply line to the upper end; of the cylinder 73. The valve H is of the self-locking: type. so that when the: valve is initially operated. through the lever 10;. air; passes to a diaphragm HA and: the valve Tali is locked. in open. position. The diaphragm. chambr Mi receives air normally from normally-open. valve; 80 through pipe 83 and'thus holds open the. valve. 7L. After the pressing element k6, has been. brought into closed position, or as the toggle links 1.5, H. straighten, a portion of the link. 75. opens a control valve 8'6: to the intake ofair'firom themain line, and air passes from the main line through the valve. 8E, pipe 81 to a diaphragm chamber 8h which opens a control valve 88 for a. cylinder 90; having a pistontherein, the rod! of which is connected-to the lever 3| which actuates the pressing. element 25, against the ac-- tion of a suitable returning spring 92 (Figures and; 152); to close the pressing element 25 and squeeze the formbetween. it. and the closed pressing element 24;. The opening of this valve 89 permits air to flow from the. main line through the pipe 93,,valve. 89:170. the cylinder 90 and also from themain line toa double timer 94.

The double timer 94= successively controls release of air from. the cylinder 90 for the back pressing, element; 25., the de-energization of' the cylinder 73. for the bosom. pressing element 24, and the-reversing of the piston. in the cylinder 59 to move the; form from out from within the cab-- inet to starting position. The timer may be oi any suitable construction and includes an air chamberin which pressure is built up. The pressure in the air chamber of'the timer 94 controls the operation of pressure operated devices, as diaphragms in diaphragm chambers -95; 96" to operate.- valves; 91: and 98. respectively. The diaphragms; in the chambers 95,. 98 are adjusted to work at different pressuresinany suitable manner, as for instance. they are operated by the air pressure againstsprings, which are adjusted for different loads, as. spring. 98A. Also, the timer is provided witha suitable adjusting or pressure regulating valve 99. The pressure device 95 is adjusted, to work: at: a. less. pressure than the device or diaphragm in. the chamber 96; When the pressing elements 24; 25; are closed, the pressure builds; up in the. chamber of the. timer 94 The pressure when it builds up: to a predetermined value first operates; the diaphragm in the chamber 96. The diaphragm, through suitable mechanism, opens the valve. 97 to exhaust, so that air exhausts from the diaphragm chamber 88 for the valve: Bil-controlling; the; flow: of air to, the cylinder an. At the same; time, while the valve 89 is open to exhaust, air exhausts from diaphragm chamber H through pipe HIE. and: the-valve 91' permitting the valve '11: to close its intake and open its exhaust to the outlet. of air from cylinder 13. for: the pressing element: 24' so that the pressing element 24 opens, Upon. the return of the valve 86 to normal position, air from the main line will again pass through the pipe 83 to the diaphragm a l, returning the lever 105 to operating position'throughthe pistonrod fiU, thus operating valve ll. Also, the air may exhaust back from the: diaphragm: chamber [9 of the-- valve 80,. permitting the valve. 80 to return to normal position, andthus. permit the air toen-- ter cylinder 13' firoml the-main; line and'eifectthe &

chamber H133 of the'holding device for the manual' 5'3, thus permitting the valve 51. to. close. The

air exhausts back through: the pipe [94' through.

the-valve 98 The return of valve 57 to open and normal position permits theair to enter the upper end of the cylinder 59= andthroughthe link 5 return the form I from out of the cabinet into:

starting or loading and unloading position in trout of the cabinet. Suitable check valves H15, H16; are located to prevent air from returning through. the lines on which they are located, when such return would cause faulty operation. Also-,suitable orifices l8 and HM are provided to prevent air from passing freely through lines, and thus aid in the release of the diaphragms [9 and 88.

Thus, in the general operation, the yoke, side seam areas and the front or bosom and the back of the shirt are ironed without removing the. shirt. from the form. The yoke and side seams are pressed when the form is in starting position outside of the cabinet and the bosom and back after the body has been shifted back.

into the cabinet, and the operation of the pressing elements within the cabinet is controlledby the shifting of the form into the. cabinet. The pressing elements coacting with the form, when thetformis. in first. position outside the cabinet may-be performed in any order, but it is more natural to first arrange the yoke and then the right and left hand pressing elements, although any other order may be used; The timer 49, however, is adjusted tobe timed by. the closing last of: therpressing. element [1 for the left hand side seam.

What we claim is:

1. In a shirt pressing machine, a supporting frame, abody form. on which the shirt is dressed, the. body form being elliptical in generafcontourin. cross section, so that with the shirt dressed thereon the side seams are at the ends of the long diameter of the ellipticalformation, a pair of side seam pressing elements and a pair of front and back pressing. elements, the side seam pressing elements and the and front pressing elements.- being' movable in parallel pla-neswith one; pair of. pressing elements in the rear of. the other, a carrier for the form opera ble to shift the form from its position occupied when in juxtapositionv to. the side seam pressing elements into juxtaposition to the front and back pressing; elements and to give the form a quarter turn during such shifting movement, and vice-versa, and meansv for. controlling the suc cessive operations of the pairof: side seam pressing elements, the release of. the same, the operationof the carrier, the: operation of the pair of front and back pressingelements, the release ofthe same, and; the reverse movement of said elements, carrier and form to return. the form to starting, position.

2. In a shirt pressing machine, a supporting frame, a body form' on which the: shirt is dressed, a carrier for the form operable to carry the form from starting position in front of the. press in which the shirt. is: dressed onthe form into asecond position, operating means for the carrier; a. pressing element mounted topress the yokeof. theshirt on the form when the form' is in startingposition, and operating means therefor; a

pair of pressing elements and operating means therefor operable to press the side portions of the shirt when in starting position, a second pair of pressing elements and operating means therefor operable to press the front and back of the shirt when in second position, and means for controlling the successive operations of the yoke pressing element and the side pressing elements, the release and return of the yoke and side pressing elements to starting position, the operation of the carrier, the operation of the front and back pressing elements, the release of the same, and the operation of the carrier to return th form to starting position.

3. In a shirt pressing machine, a supporting frame, a body form on which the shirt is dressed,

a carrier for the form operable to carry the form from a starting position in front of the frame in which the shirt is dressed on the form into a second position within the frame, the carrier including a swinging arm, the form being swivelled on said arm, mechanism for rocking the arm and a connection between the rocking mechanism and the form to swivel the form to give it a partial turn during its movement from starting position to second position, pressing elements for coacting with the form when in starting position and operating means therefor and pressing elements for coacting with the form when in second position and operating means therefor.

4. In a shirt pressing machine, a supporting frame, a body form on which the shirt is dressed, a carrier for the form operable to carry the form from a starting position in front of the frame in which the shirt is dressed on the form into a second position within the frame, the carrier including a swinging arm, the form being swivelled on said arm, mechanism for rocking the arm and a connection between the rocking mechanism and the form to swivel the form to give it a partial turn during its movement from starting position to second position, pressing elements for coacting with the form when in starting position and operating means therefor, and pressing elements for coacting with the form when in second position and operating means therefor, and control mechanism operable to effect the successive operation of the pressing elements operable when the form is in first position, the release of the same, the operation of the carrier successive to the former operation and the successive operation of the pressing elements operating when the form is in second position.

5. In a shirt pressing machine, a body form on which the shirt is dressed, pressing elements for pressing different portions of the shirt on the body form and in their joint operation pressing the entire body of the shirt, the elements being arranged in groups, the pressing elements of one group being operable into pressing position so that they are pressing at the same time, the elements of the other group being alternately operable into pressing position with the elements of the first group and operating to lap the areas pressed by the first group, and means for controlling the successive operation and releasing of the groups of pressing elements.

6. In a shirt pressing machine, a body form on which the shirt is dressed, pressing elements for pressing different portions of the shirt on the body form in their joint operation pressing the entire body of the shirt, the elements being arranged in groups, the pressing elements of one group being operable into pressing position so that they are pressing at the same time, the side for successively effecting the operation of one group, the shifting of the form into juxtaposition to the other group, the operation of the pressing elements of the other group and the reverse of the shifting and. pressing operations.

'7. In a shirt pressing machine, a body form on which the shirt is dressed, groups of pressing elements for pressing different areas of the shirt, all of said pressing elements pressing substantially the body portion of the shirt, the pressing elements of one group pressing the yoke and side seam areas of the shirt from the collar to the sleeves, the pressing elements of the other group being operable into position to press the entire front and back of the shirt and being located to lap over on the areas pressed by said one of the groups, the form being shiftable from juxtaposition to one group of pressing elements into juxtaposition to the other group and back into juxtaposition to the first group, and power means operable to effect the successive operations of the groups of pressing elements and the shifting of the form from one group to the other between the pressing operations of the groups.

8. In a shirt pressing machine, a supporting frame, a body form on which. the shirt is dressed, a carrier for the form operable to carr the form from a starting position on which the shirt is initially dressed on the form into a second position, means for operating the carrier and for giving it a partial turn relative to the carrier when moving from first position to second position and vice-versa, pressing elements for coacting with the form when in starting position, and operating means therefor, and pressing elements coacting with the form when in second position, and operating means therefor, and means for controlling the operations of all of said operating means.

9. In a shirt pressing machine, a supporting frame, a body form on which the shirt is dressed, a carrier for the form operable to carry the form from starting position in front of the frame in which the shirt is initially dressed on the form into a second position within the frame, operating means to actuate the carrier to move the form in one direction from starting position to second position and reversely in the same path from second position to first position, pressing elements for coacting with the form when in starting position and operating means therefor, pressing elements for coacting with the form when in second position and operating means therefor, and mechanism for controlling and timing the operations of the three operating means.

10. In a shirt pressing machine, a supporting frame, a body form on which the shirt is dressed, a pair of side seam pressing elements and a pair of front and back pressing elements, the side seam pressing elements and the front and back pressing elements being movable in parallel planes with one pair of pressing elements in the rear of the other, a carrier for the form operable to shift the form from its position occupied when in juxtaposition to the side seam pressing elements into juxtaposition to the front and back pressing elements, and in a retrograde direction, after the pressing operations, back to the first position in juxtaposition to the side seam pressing elements. whereby the form has a back and. forth operating movement from one position to the other position and reversely back to the first position, and means for controlling the successive operations of the side seam pressing elements, the release of the same, the operation of the carrier, the operation of the pair of front and back pressing elements for releasing the same and the 12 reverse movement of said elements and of the :arrier to starting position.

ERNEST DAVIS. EMIL A. WINNEWISSER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,278,959 Williams Apr. 7, 1942 2,338,087 Bicknell et a1 Jan. 4, 1944- 2,355,699 Bicknell Aug. 15, 1944 2,395,466 Couch Feb. 26, 19416 

